Do Chiropractor Visits Count in a Car Accident Injury Claim? How They Affect Case Value
If you’ve been in a car accident, you may be wondering: “Do my chiropractor visits count when calculating compensation for my injuries?” The answer is yes. Chiropractors play a critical role in treating spinal, neck, and back injuries, which are among the most common injuries after a car accident.
However, not all treatment is weighted equally by insurance companies. The type, duration, and progression of your care directly influence the value of your personal injury claim. Understanding how chiropractors fit into your treatment plan can help you maximize your compensation and ensure your injuries are properly documented.
1. The Treatment Hierarchy After a Car Accident
Medical treatment for back and spinal injuries usually follows a tiered approach, sometimes called a treatment ladder:
Step 1: Conservative Care
Chiropractic visits and physical therapy are considered conservative treatment.
This is typically the first step after a car accident injury.
The goal is to reduce pain, restore mobility, and prevent the need for more invasive procedures.
Example:
A patient with whiplash may start with chiropractic care to realign the spine, reduce inflammation, and relieve neck pain.
Step 2: Pain Management or Interventional Treatments
If chiropractic care alone doesn’t fully resolve the injury, the next step may include:
Steroid injections
Nerve blocks
Other minimally invasive procedures
These treatments show that your pain persists and that your injury is more serious than a minor soft tissue strain.
Example:
Radiating arm pain after weeks of chiropractic care may lead a doctor to recommend a cervical epidural steroid injection.
Step 3: Surgery
Surgery is usually the last option, reserved for severe injuries.
Examples include:
Discectomy
Spinal fusion
Rotator cuff repair
If you progress to surgical intervention, it substantially increases the value of your claim because it demonstrates significant, long-term injury.
2. How Chiropractic Care Affects Case Value
Insurance adjusters evaluate the entire treatment progression. Here’s how different levels of treatment affect case value:
Chiropractic or physical therapy only: Case value is usually lower.
Chiropractic + Interventional treatment: Higher case value because it demonstrates ongoing suffering.
Chiropractic + Interventional + Surgery: Highest case value, as it shows significant injury and long-term impact.
Proper documentation is key. Each visit should include detailed treatment notes, reported symptoms, and progress tracking. Without documentation, insurers may undervalue your claim.
3. Why Chiropractor Visits Are Legally Relevant
Chiropractors are licensed medical professionals who can provide evidence of injury and ongoing treatment.
Courts and insurance companies accept chiropractic records as valid proof of treatment necessity and injury severity.
Even if you do not require surgery, consistent chiropractic care supports your claim for pain, suffering, and lost wages.
Tip: Keep all chiropractic invoices, visit notes, and X-rays or imaging results, as they strengthen your claim.
4. Maximizing Your Compensation With Chiropractic Care
Follow the recommended treatment plan – Completing prescribed therapy shows the seriousness of your injuries.
Document every visit – Dates, symptoms, and adjustments are all important.
Work with a personal injury attorney – They know how to present chiropractic care in a way that reflects the true value of your case.
Even minor injuries can become significant in a claim if you document treatment progression and show that you sought appropriate care.
5. Conclusion
Chiropractic care absolutely counts in a car accident case. Conservative treatment like chiropractic visits is often the first step, but the overall value of your claim depends on the severity and duration of your injuries, as well as any interventional or surgical treatments required. Proper documentation and legal guidance can help ensure that your compensation accurately reflects your pain, suffering, and medical expenses.
